This is not a mandatory process yet, but we want our customers to be well informed and ready for the change that will happen October 1, 2020. So, if you are looking to get, or renew your license consider obtaining the REAL ID. You never know when you will need to fly, or enter a federal building.

If you’re planning on buying and/or selling a home this summer, you want your move to be as smooth as possible. Since a house may be your largest financial investment, you’ll want to make the best decisions possible for you and your family.

Insurance:

You can help ensure that your life insurance benefits go to the people you want to receive them by updating contact information, keeping beneficiaries informed and providing detailed information to the insurance company.

Retirement Planning:

You can convert a traditional individual retirement account (IRA) to a Roth IRA regardless of income or tax-filing status. While you may have to pay income taxes on the amount you convert, this can be a good strategy. Your financial professional can help you determine if a Roth conversion is right for your situation.

Small Business:

If your small business doesn’t have a retirement plan in place, consider establishing one. A retirement plan can be a key part of your business’s ability to attract and retain talent. And offering tax-favored retirement benefits can provide greater retirement security for you and your employees.

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Setting aside money for goals that are far in the future often takes a back seat to spending on current needs. However, investing for retirement should be one of your financial priorities. Talk to your financial professional about strategies that can help you pursue your long-term goals.

We are questioned daily by customers asking why their insurance premiums increased more than the rate of inflation. The answer generally has just 2 parts: First, the insurance company taking the rate increase paid more in claims and expenses than it collected in premium and in order to make the 5% to 7% profit necessary to stay in business they have to raise prices. Second, insurance fraud has increased substantially since the financial crisis of 2008. This second reason for insurance premium hikes is something we all can help get rid of. The statement issued this week by Jeff Atwater, the head of Florida’s Department of Financial Services, describes the problem and what can be done about it: “The FBI estimates that the total annual cost of insurance fraud in our country tops $40 billion, and that doesn’t even include health insurance fraud. When you break that number down, it comes out to roughly $500 per family per year in increased premiums. There are as many types of insurance fraud as there are types of insurance, and crooks seem to always find a way to cheat the system. Our insurance fraud and arson investigators recently ran across an outrageous case that outlines just how bold some of these criminals can be and just how quickly thousands of dollars can be stolen. Late last year, a man from Orange County reported that his car, a 2016 Toyota Camry, had been stolen in the state of New York. A terrible ordeal, but it happens and that’s what insurance is for. Imagine the man’s surprise when just a few months later, his car is found on fire near Orlando. He’d already filed an insurance claim worth $10,000, and when the local fire department asked our arson investigators to look into the cause of the blaze, they quickly became suspicious. As the story unfolded, the man ultimately confessed that he paid someone $300 to destroy his car and to make sure it was never seen again. Why would anyone do that? Maybe he was tired of making his payments or perhaps he wanted a different car to drive. Whatever the reason, the fact remains: By stealing from his insurance company, he’s causing all of our insurance rates to rise. Now he faces 20 years in jail, but the reality is that this sort of thing happens frequently. It happens when people intentionally inflict damage to their homes or when they stage automobile accidents. It happens when employers cheat their way out of paying proper premiums for workers’ compensation. It even happens when people fake injuries to get out of going to work. Insurance is a business just like any other, and insurance companies can’t afford to absorb $40 billion in fraud without raising prices. I think we can all agree that no one enjoys paying more for their policies, and we must all do our part to help stop this cost driver. If you see something that looks suspicious, say something. Our investigators are doing a great job, but they can’t be everywhere all the time. If you think there’s something they should look into, give us a call.”

If you see or know of fraud happening, call the appropriate number on this list if it is occuring in Massachusetts. Each state has their own fraud hotlines, check the website of your states attorney general.

Turning your favorite hobby into a business may seem like a great way to earn money while doing something you love. But you have to be careful when it comes to the IRS’s tax rules. If the IRS views your activity as a hobby rather than a business, you may not be able to deduct all of your business type expenses.

Insurance:

Are you looking for a way to have a lasting impact on the people and the causes that matter most to you? Life insurance may be the answer. It can help provide the financial legacy or charitable gift you desire.

Retirement Planning:

Contributing to a 401(k) retirement plan or a traditional individual retirement account (IRA) can be a tax-smart thing to do. Eventually, though, you’re required to take taxable minimum distributions from your account or face stiff penalties.

Small Business:

To attract and retain top-notch employees, you need to offer a competitive benefits package. But that can be expensive. Adding some “soft” benefits, such as flexible work arrangements and employee recognition awards, can help enhance your traditional benefits package while helping to control benefit costs.

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One day the markets are up and then the next day they’re down. While you can’t control the markets, you can create an investment strategy to help protect your portfolio from market fluctuations. We offer some steps to help minimize the effect of market volatility on your portfolio’s returns.